{"id":5038,"date":"2023-06-05T14:23:14","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T13:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=5038"},"modified":"2023-06-05T14:54:11","modified_gmt":"2023-06-05T13:54:11","slug":"how-to-start-your-own-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2023\/06\/05\/how-to-start-your-own-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How to start your own business in two (and a little more) days"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In my last blog – My Experience on the IME course<\/a>, I reflected on my experience of joining the IME course to learn how to manage the process of innovation in a large organisation. I also emphasised how the entrepreneurship spirit on the course inspired me to start a social enterprise in a few years.<\/p>\n

But guess what? Just one semester later, in addition to equipped tools and competencies, I have also received my first grant to launch a social enterprise.<\/p>\n

The Start<\/h2>\n

It all started with the Bright Ideas Competition<\/a>, The University of Manchester\u2019s annual student idea competition, where my friend and I were declared winners<\/a> for GoSafe app. The app is dedicated to helping students build their trust networks, share experiences and discover safe routes across Manchester.<\/p>\n

Winning the competition was a pivotal point in my entrepreneurship journey. It led to the emergence of self-affirmation within me and helped me discover that it is by making a positive impact that I truly achieve self-actualisation. Yet this was only the beginning \u2026<\/p>\n

The Journey<\/h2>\n

I found myself attending inspirational talks on social entrepreneurship hosted by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre<\/a> (MEC), participating in Accelerate Me<\/a> workshops and contemplating problems worth solving after classes with my friends in the new Engineering building<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The journey involved several (mini) setbacks and challenges as I tried to keep up with the course, extracurricular activities, and social life, and I didn’t know where my new interest in entrepreneurship would take me next.<\/p>\n

Two days before the deadline for the Venture Further Startup Competition<\/a>, I came up with a business idea that turned out to be the start of my social entrepreneurship journey. With the support of my friends and feedback from my professors, I developed a business plan for my idea. Ellie and the MEC team helped me realise the potential that my ideas had, and I was soon preparing for a presentation pitch as a finalist in the Social Category.<\/p>\n

Not long ago, my social enterprise, Beyond 9 (which aims to provide mothers with the resources and the support to help them restart their careers post maternity leave\/ prolonged career breaks), received second place in the Venture Further Awards<\/a> in May.<\/p>\n

Interlude (and some advice)<\/h2>\n

Several courses in the IME programme discuss innovation strategy within large organisations, but three courses in particular focus on new ventures. If you are an incoming entrepreneur on the course, I would highly recommend these:<\/p>\n

\u25cf High Tech Entrepreneurship<\/strong> – Karl\u2019s introduction to lean startup and the principles for translating a real-life problem into a business idea will provide you with the skills necessary to launch and grow your technology venture.
\u25cf Business Creation and Development<\/strong> – In Adam\u2019s course, you will learn about analytical tools and techniques for strategic analysis and apply them to make recommendations for a real-life new venture, acting as consultants.
\u25cf Developing Enterprising Individuals<\/strong> – In this self-development course, the course leaders Jonathan and Rob introduce you to various personal analysis tools to help you reflect on and develop skills like networking and public speaking – essential for becoming an entrepreneur and intrapreneur.<\/p>\n

In addition, if you want to learn more about the process of managing innovations, the following courses might interest you –<\/p>\n

\u25cf Innovation Management<\/strong> – Bruce\u2019s course introduces some core concepts in managing innovation within firms, including strategy, innovative business models, and management of research and development (R&D) teams.
\u25cf Case Studies in Technology Strategy & Innovation Management<\/strong> – Andrew leads this very practical course focused on understanding how firms can respond to change, and position themselves to gain a competitive advantage. The lectures are delivered through a series of guest lectures that work in the field of innovation and strategy.<\/p>\n

I never really thought of myself as an entrepreneur, but the modules on the IME course helped me unlock the potential I have. Although, it is only by applying the insights gained from the programme to real life that I truly made an impact.<\/p>\n

Finish Line<\/h2>\n

Even though I am approaching the end of my journey at The University of Manchester – this isn\u2019t the end. While preparing to launch my social enterprise, I am writing my dissertation – exploring how middle managers navigate and overcome potential emotional barriers to the innovation process in incumbent firms.<\/p>\n

Going forward, I hope my start-up and the outcomes of my dissertation will make a significant social impact by championing women in all stages of their life. And I hope to return with some exciting developments after graduating, which I\u2019ll write all about in my next blog!<\/p>\n

\"Venture

Venture Further Awards<\/p><\/div>\n

Written by Manya, MSc\u00a0Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship student at AMBS<\/strong><\/p>\n

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